This one was the 2010 release at the RBSG 2014 grand tasting and I’ll just assume that Brokensail brought it, ffs
Pours a dark red with a very small head.

The aroma is pleasantly sweet with some brandy, some vanilla, some coconut and loads of rich crystal malt goodness.

The flavor is boozy and rich with lots of caramel and sweetness. The beer has a nice bit of vanilla and a fairly well defined but not overwhelming bourbon character. Flavors of toffee, cherry, and mild roast work very nicely here as does the warming alcohol presence.

2010 bottle. Pours dark brown with a reddish tinge. There is a thin beige head and a massive treacle and bourbon aroma. The flavor is dark molasses sweetened further with bourbon. Aging has softened the edges making the mouthfeel very mellow.

Bottle. 2010 edition. Muddy brown colour with light head. Aroma is graham wafers, vanilla, oak, and rasins. Taste is sweet up front, followed by rasins, vanilla , bourbon, with a sweet velvety finish. Full bodied, with medium carbonation. Seems to be holding up well, very tasty.

2010 edition, from the bottle. Mostly clear burgundy, with a tight tam head that eventually recedes to nothingness. Nice bourbon and dark fruit blend -- raisins, dates, dark cherries, vanilla, rye whiskey, cocoa. This bottle’s a little old, and there’s a background of old honey, caramel and brandy. The flavor is smoother, showing less alcohol and a balanced blend of fig and roasty bourbon. The oxidation shows in a flash at first, then recedes and gives way to the velvet-smooth booze. Medium body, mild CO2, quite a bit of boozy numbness. Past its prime, but not by much. Still a tasty brew.

750mL bottle, pours a deep dark mahogany with a small tan head. Nose is divine, with loads of bourbon barrels, brown sugar, vanilla and oak. Flavour is very sweet and complex, with loads of bourbon barrels upfront, followed by vanilla and brown sugar. Very complex, with lots of sweetness, bourbon and vanilla. Somehow this isn’t anywhere close to cloying. Nicely balanced. Wonderful stuff.

This 2010 old ale, which I’ve mistaken added as 2011 for reasons unknown started as a nice malty old ale and got heavy heavy bourbon influence from the long time in a barrel. Loads of vanilla, booze, spice and roasty malts. So smooth n tasty I think it a significant improvement to the base. Maybe even a little fruity."

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